Apparatus for transporting golf clubs in the cargo area of a vehicle

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for transporting preselected golf equipment in a cargo area of a vehicle. The apparatus comprises at least one generally rectangular base member and a pair of substantially parallel side members having a predetermined configuration disposed adjacent radially opposed side edges of the at least one base member. There is a golf bag and clubs support member that is engageable with an inner surface of each one of the pair of substantially parallel side members intermediate an upper edge and a bottom edge thereof, the support member being disposed to slope downwardly from a front edge of the apparatus to a back edge of the apparatus and a back member engageable with a back edge of each of the at least one base member, the substantially parallel side members and the support member thereby forming a substantially hollow enclosure. The back member extends upwardly beyond the support member.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to an aid for transporting golf equipment, and, more particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for transporting golf clubs in the cargo area of a vehicle without having the clubs leave the bag.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Golf is such a popular sport that many of the golfers leave their golf clubs and other golf equipment in their vehicle all the time. One problem that is encountered is that the golf clubs and other related equipment (shoes etc.) can be scattered in the vehicle.

In the case where the vehicle is an automobile and the golf bag and clubs are stored in the trunk, the problem is not severe because the trunk area has a limited space. Thus, the clubs invariably cannot get completely out of the bag. However, when the clubs are stored in the back of a truck, station wagon, and possibly some vans or SUV's it is possible for the clubs to get completely out of the bag. Sudden stops, fast acceleration and some sharp turns can cause the clubs to be dislodged from the bag and become loose in the cargo area. Having loose golf clubs in the cargo area is quite undesirable and could be dangerous.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an apparatus for transporting preselected golf equipment in a cargo area of a vehicle, the apparatus comprises at least one generally rectangular base member and a pair of substantially parallel side members having a predetermined configuration disposed adjacent radially opposed side edges of the at least one base member. There is a golf bag and clubs support member that is engageable with an inner surface of each one of the pair of substantially parallel side members intermediate an upper edge and a bottom edge thereof, the support member being disposed to slope downwardly from a front edge of the apparatus to a back edge of the apparatus and a back member engageable with a back edge of each of the at least one base member, the substantially parallel side members and the support member thereby forming a substantially hollow enclosure. The back member extends upwardly beyond the support member.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide an apparatus for transporting golf clubs in the cargo area of a vehicle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for transporting golf clubs than can also be used for storing ancillary golf equipment such as shoes, extra golf balls, etc.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for transporting golf clubs that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Yet another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which has anti slip material on the base to keep the apparatus from sliding.

In addition to the numerous objects and advantages of the present invention which have been described with some degree of particularity above, it should be both noted and understood that a number of other important objects and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such detailed description is taken in conjunction with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of the apparatus for transporting golf clubs.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken across the lines of III-III of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the apparatus according to an alternate embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the apparatus show in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 5 taken across the lines of VI-VI.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention, it should be noted that for the sake of clarity in understanding the invention, identical components with identical functions have been designated with identical reference numerals throughout the drawing Figures.

Illustrated in the drawing Figures is an apparatus, generally designated 10, for transporting preselected golf equipment in a cargo area of a vehicle. The apparatus 10 comprises at least one generally rectangular base member 2 and a pair of substantially parallel side members 4,6 having a predetermined configuration disposed adjacent radially opposed side edges of the at least one base member 2. There is a golf bag and clubs support member 8 that is engageable with an inner surface of each one of the pair of substantially parallel side members 4,6 intermediate an upper edge and a bottom edge thereof, the support member 8 being disposed to slope downwardly from a front edge of the apparatus 10 to a back edge of the apparatus 10 and a back member 12 engageable with a back edge of each of the at least one base member 2, the substantially parallel side members 4,6 and the support member 8 thereby forming a substantially hollow enclosure. The back member 12 extends upwardly beyond the support member 8. Such support member 8 is sloped from front to back in such a manner that the bottom of the golf bag (not shown) sits against the upper portion of the back member 12 while the head portion of the clubs are at high end of the apparatus 10 while the side members 4,6 keep the golf bag positioned within the apparatus 10. The slope keeps the clubs within the bag. It is preferred that the slope between the support member and the front edge of the side member is between about 7° and about 12°. In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention such slope is about 8°.

Such apparatus 10 may further include anti-slip material 3 disposed on the bottom of the base member 2 to keep the apparatus 10 from sliding in the vehicle.

Illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the apparatus further includes a drawer member, generally designated 20. In this embodiment such drawer member 20 pulls out from the front of the apparatus 10. The drawer member 20 comprises a substantially rectangular base member 22 and a pair of substantially parallel side members 24,26 engageable with an outer edge of the substantially rectangular base member 22. The side members are sloped to correspond to the downward slope of the support member 8 of the apparatus 10. The drawer member 20 also has a back member 28 engageable with a back edge of each of base member 22 and the substantially parallel side members 24,26. A front member 32 is engageable with a front edge of each of the base member 22 and the substantially parallel side members 24,26 thereby forming a substantially hollow enclosure. The front member 32 is engageable with a front edge of the apparatus 10 when the drawer member 20 is in a closed position. The drawer member 20 also includes at least one divider 34 for partitioning the hollow portion of such drawer member 20 into separate sections for storing different golf accessories, such as shoes in one compartment, golf balls in another and possibly tees in a third compartment.

The drawer member 20 further includes a means, generally designated 30, engageable with at least an one of an outer surface of the substantially parallel side members 24,26 of the drawer member 20 and an inner surface of the pair of substantially parallel side members 4,6 of the apparatus 10 and a bottom surface of the base member 22 of the drawer member 20 and an upper surface of the at least one base member 2 of the apparatus 10 for permitting the drawer member 20 to slide in and out of the apparatus 10. Such drawer member 20 also has a handle 29 for moving the drawer member 20. Such handle 29 can be in the shape and appearance of a golf ball. It is also an embodiment of the invention that such outer surface of the apparatus be covered with a material such as indoor/outdoor carpeting 54 which improves the appearance of the apparatus.

In an alternate embodiment of the invention as illustrated in FIGS. 4-6 such drawer member 20 pulls out of the apparatus 10 from the side. In this case the drawer member 20 is quite wide but not very deep. However, depending on the vehicle and the placement of the apparatus 10 in the vehicle the side entry drawer may be desirable. In this embodiment such apparatus 10 further includes a support housing member 41 which is disposed intermediate between the front end and back end of the apparatus. This support housing member 41 is used for mounting the means 30 for sliding the drawer in and out of the apparatus 10. This embodiment may also include a front member 43. This front member 43 closes off the opening where the drawer would be positioned in the other embodiment.

Drawer member 20 includes a substantially rectangular base member 42 and a pair of substantially parallel side members 44,46. One of the substantially parallel side members 44 is engageable with a first side edge and an opposite side member 46 is engageable with a second side edge, respectively, of the substantially rectangular base member 42. The side members have different heights, side member 44 engageable with the first side edge of the base member 42 is taller, while side member 46 is not as tall so as to fit under the sloped support member 8 of the apparatus 10. The drawer member 20 also has a back member 48 engageable with a back edge of the base member 42 and the back edges of the substantially parallel side members 44,46. The back member 48 is tapered downwardly from the first side to the second side, such taper substantially corresponds to the downward slope of the support member 8 of the apparatus 10.

A front member 45 is engageable with a radially opposed front edge of each of the base member 42 and the substantially parallel side members 44,46 thereby forming a substantially hollow enclosure. The front member 45 also engages a portion of the outer surface of one of the pair of side members 4 of the apparatus 10 when the drawer member 20 is in a closed position. As described previously, it must be noted that in this embodiment one the pair of side members 4 has an opening in it so as to accommodate the drawer member 20 and such opening is closed when the drawer member 20 is in the closed position. The drawer member 20 also includes at least one divider 52 for partitioning the hollow portion of such drawer member 20 into separate sections for storage of different items. It should also be noted that the drawer member 20 in each of the embodiments are the same size. The only difference is the mode of entry into the apparatus, one enters from the front while the other is a side entry.

This embodiment also includes a slide means, generally designated 50, engageable with at least one of an outer surface of the substantially parallel side members 44,46 of the drawer member 20 and an inner surface of such front member 43 and separate housing member 41 and a bottom surface of said base member 42 of the drawer member 20 and an upper surface of the at least one base member 2 of the apparatus 10 for permitting the drawer member 20 to slide in and out of the apparatus 10. Such drawer member 20 also has a handle 29 for moving the drawer member 20.

It is also preferred that such apparatus 10 be covered with a material such as indoor/outdoor carpeting 54 to make the apparatus 10 more attractive and also to help deter any sliding of the apparatus 10.

While a presently preferred embodiment and alternate embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, it should be understood that various other adaptations and/or modifications of the invention can be made by those persons who are particularly skilled in the art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims. 

1. An apparatus for transporting preselected golf equipment in a cargo area of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising: (a) at least one generally rectangular base member; (b) a pair of substantially parallel side members having a predetermined configuration disposed adjacent radially opposed side edges of said at least one base member; (c) a support member engageable with an inner surface of each one of said pair of substantially parallel side members intermediate an upper edge and a bottom edge thereof for supporting a golf bag and clubs thereon, said support member being disposed to slope downwardly from a front edge of said apparatus to a back edge of said apparatus; and (d) a back member disposed adjacent a back edge of each of said at least one base member, said substantially parallel side members and said support member thereby forming a substantially hollow enclosure, said back member extending upwardly beyond said support member.
 2. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus further includes a drawer member, said drawer member comprising; (a) a substantially rectangular base member; (b) a pair of substantially parallel side members disposed adjacent an outer edge of said substantially rectangular base member, said side members being sloped to substantially correspond to said downward slope of said support member; (c) a back member disposed adjacent a back edge of each of said base member and said substantially parallel side members; (d) a front member disposed adjacent a front edge of each of said base member and said substantially parallel side members thereby forming a substantially hollow enclosure; and (e) a slide means engageable with at least one of an outer surface of said substantially parallel side members of said drawer member and an inner surface of said pair of substantially parallel side members of said apparatus and a bottom surface of said base member of said drawer member and an upper surface of said at least one base member of said apparatus for permitting said drawer member to slide in and out of said apparatus.
 3. The apparatus, according to claim 2, wherein said front member of said drawer member is engageable with a front edge of said apparatus when said drawer member is in a closed position.
 4. The apparatus, according to claim 2, wherein said drawer member further includes at least one divider for partitioning off portions of said substantially hollow enclosure of said drawer member.
 5. The apparatus, according to claim 2, wherein said drawer member further includes a handle.
 6. The apparatus, according to claim 5, wherein said handle is in the form of a golf ball.
 7. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said substantially parallel side members are tapered downwardly from said front edge to said back edge, said taper substantially corresponding to said downward slope of said support member.
 8. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus further includes a front member, said front member is disposed adjacent a front edge of said at least one generally rectangular base member and an inner surface of a front edge of said pair of substantially parallel side members.
 9. The apparatus, according to claim 8, wherein said apparatus further includes a support housing member disposed intermediate said front and said back of said apparatus and disposed adjacent an inner surface of said base member and an inner surface of a front edge of said support member of said apparatus.
 10. The apparatus, according to claim 9, wherein one of said pair of substantially parallel side members includes an opening having a predetermined configuration formed therein and said apparatus further includes a drawer member said drawer member comprising: (a) a substantially rectangular base member; (b) a pair of substantially parallel side members having a predetermined configuration, one of said pair of substantially parallel side members engageable with a first side edge of said substantially rectangular base member and an opposite one of said pair of substantially parallel side members engageable with a second side edge of said substantially rectangular base member, said side members having different heights; (c) a back member engageable with a back edge of said base member and back edges of said pair of substantially parallel side members, said back member being tapered downwardly from said first side edge to said second side edge, said taper substantially corresponding to said downward slope of said support member of said apparatus; (d) a front member being engageable with a front edge of each of said substantially parallel side edges and a front edge of said base member of said drawer member thereby forming a substantially hollow enclosure; and (e) a slide means engageable with at least one of an outer surface of said substantially parallel side members of said drawer member and an inner surface of said front member and a front surface of said support housing member of said apparatus and a bottom surface of said base member of said drawer member and an upper surface of said at least one base member of said apparatus for permitting said drawer member to slide in and out of said apparatus.
 11. The apparatus, according to claim 10, wherein said drawer member includes a handle.
 12. The apparatus, according to claim 10, wherein said drawer member further includes at least one divider for partitioning off portions of said substantially hollow enclosure of said drawer member.
 13. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus further includes a plurality of substantially rectangular base members.
 14. The apparatus, according to claim 13, wherein said plurality of base members includes a substantially rectangular base member disposed at said front edge of said apparatus, a substantially rectangular base member disposed at said back edge of said apparatus and a substantially rectangular base member disposed intermediate said front edge and said back edge of said apparatus.
 15. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus includes one substantially rectangular base member, said one substantially rectangular base member covering substantially an entire bottom surface of said apparatus.
 16. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus further includes an anti slip material on a bottom surface of said at least one substantially rectangular base member.
 17. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said anti slip material is resilient.
 18. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus further includes an indoor/outdoor carpeting covering an exterior surface of said apparatus.
 19. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said slope of said support member is between about 70 and about
 120. 20. The apparatus, according to claim 19, wherein said slope is about 8°. 